ArchiMate Definitionen

A deliverable is defined as a precisely-defined outcome of a work package.

A plateau is defined as a relatively stable state of the architecture that exists during a limited period of time.

A gap is defined as an outcome of a gap analysis between two plateaus.

An active structure element is defined as an entity that is capable of performing behavior.

A behavior element is defined as a unit of activity performed by one or more active structure elements.

A passive structure element is defined as an object on which behavior is performed.

A service is defined as a unit of functionality that a system exposes to its environment, while hiding internal operations, which provides a certain value (monetary or otherwise).

An interface is defined as a point of access where one or more services are made available to the environment.

A collaboration is defined as a (temporary) grouping (or aggregation) of two or more structure elements, working together to perform some collective behavior.

An interaction is defined as a unit of behavior performed by a collaboration of two or more structure elements.

The Business Layer offers products and services to external customers, which are realized in the organization by business processes performed by business actors.

The Application Layer supports the business layer with application services which are realized by (software) applications.

The Technology Layer offers infrastructure services (e.g., processing, storage, and communication services) needed to run applications, realized by computer and communication hardware and system software.

A motivational element is defined as an element that provides the context or reason lying behind the architecture of an enterprise.

The Implementation and Migration extension of ArchiMate adds concepts to support the late ADM phases, related to the implementation and migration of architectures: Phase E (Opportunities and Solutions), Phase F (Migration Planning), and Phase G (Implementation Governance).

The responsibility for performing specific behavior, to which an actor can be assigned.

An aggregate of two or more business roles that work together to perform collective behavior.

A point of access where a business service is made available to the environment.

A conceptual point or extent in space.

A behavior element that groups behavior based on an ordering of activities. It is intended to produce a defined set of products or business services.

A behavior element that groups behavior based on a chosen set of criteria (typically required business resources and/or competences).

A behavior element that describes the behavior of a business collaboration.

Something that happens (internally or externally) and influences behavior.

A service that fulfills a business need for a customer (internal or external to the organization).

A passive element that has relevance from a business perspective.

A perceptible form of the information carried by a business object.

The knowledge or expertise present in a business object or its representation, given a particular context.

The relative worth, utility, or importance of a business service or product.

A coherent collection of services, accompanied by a contract/set of agreements, which is offered as a whole to (internal or external) customers.